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This vintage commercial for the Chevrolet Caprice reminds us that things were much simpler in 1969, back when a “silent” rear-window defroster was considered a luxury. However, there were still features that – in theory – can be considered advanced even by today’s standards.

Specifically, there’s the Liquid Tire Chain option.

Imagine being able to push a button that would suddenly improve traction in snowy conditions, but instead of engaging another set of wheels via a differential, the tires were coated in an advanced, almost magical, polymer via a set of integrated sprayers that promised to all but eliminate slippage on snow and ice. It sounds almost too good to be true.

Sadly, it seems like it probably was, and according to Hagerty, the Liquid Tire Chain option was phased out after just a single year, with approximately 2,600 systems being installed on various 1969 Chevy models. If we had to guess, we’d bet that folks who lived up north found that the technology didn’t work as well as they’d hoped, which led to Chevrolet pulling the plug.

That’s all from us, go ahead and hit play for this minute-long blast from the past.